Course outline
Code: PAR222
Title: Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
Faculty of: Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Teaching Session: Semester 2
Year: 2016
Course Coordinator: Email: Matthew Lane Email:mlane@usc.edu.au
Course Moderator: Mrs Belinda Flanagan
1.
What is this course about?
1.1
Course description
In this course you will examine the complex array of legal and ethical issues associated with paramedic
clinical practice and the implications the law and ethics have on your clinical practice as a contemporary
paramedic. The law and bioethical principles impact upon every part of your clinical practice and your
employment as a paramedic, with your decisions regarding the provision of clinical care increasingly
subjected to public scrutiny. Contemporary legal and bioethical issues will be examined in order for you to
critically appraise the decisions you make as a paramedic.
1.2
Course content
Bioethics and bioethical approaches to paramedic care
The sources of law
Paramedic practice and its interface with the law
Intentional torts
Negligence
Consent
Consent and refusal of health care in special circumstances
Mental health law
Administrative and industrial law for paramedics
The role of the courts
2.
Unit value
12 units
Version Semester 2 2016
Recfind File Number: F14984
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
3.
How does this course contribute to my learning?
On successful completion of this course you
should be able to:
You will be assessed
on the learning
outcome in task/s:
Completing these tasks
successfully will contribute
to you becoming:
Describe the criteria that constitute ethical
professional practice.
Apply the major ethical and moral theories to
select healthcare situations.
Describe ethical and legal principles and
requirements as they relate to professional
health practice.
Describe the features of the Australian legal
system and statutory bodies.
Apply legislation and case law to the practice of
health professionals.
Task 1
Task 2
Task 1
Task 2
Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 3
Ethical.
Task 2
Task 3
Empowered.
4.
Ethical.
Ethical.
Knowledgeable.
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the Undergraduate Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of “prerequisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”
4.1
Enrolment restrictions
Students must be enrolled in SC395
4.2
Pre-requisites
PAR101 and PAR103
4.3
Co-requisites
Nil
4.4
Anti-requisites
NUR222
4.5
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (optional)
Nil
5.
How am I going to be assessed?
5.1
Grading scale
Standard – High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL)
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
5.2
Assessment tasks
Task No. PAR222
Assessment
Tasks
1
Bioethics
presentation
2a
Ambulance
Documentation
Exercise
2b
3
Legal Analysis
Individual
or Group
Group
Individual
Individual
Weighting What is the
%
duration /
length?
30%
1500 words
(equivalent)
Formative 1 page (A4) eARF
in class
activity
20%
45 minute
tutorial exercise
When should I
submit?
50%
Week 13
2500 words
Week 4
Where
should I
submit it?
SafeAssign
Week 4
In class
Week 9
In class
SafeAssign
100%
Assessment Task 1: Bioethics Presentation
Goal:
Product:
Format:
The aim of the bioethics presentation is to enable you to identify and discuss the key
bioethical issues in paramedic practice.
Poster/DVD/Webpage
A poster, DVD, webpage or other form of appropriate applied technology. In a group of 4 to
6 participants you will need to collaboratively decide on a bioethical issue in paramedic
practice and present the issues in a creative form. You will also be required to submit an
individual reflection of your contribution to the groupwork.
Criteria
Explains the relevant bioethical principles and theories underpinning paramedic practice
Application of bioethical principles to paramedic practice
Reflect on professional paramedic practice
Use of Technology to convey meaning
Use of referencing style
Presentation and Grammatical Conventions
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Information literacy
Developing
Applied Technology
Developing
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
Assessment Task 2: Ambulance Documentation Exercise
Goal:
The aim of the ambulance documentation exercise is to allow you to demonstrate an
understanding of the legal and ethical principles underpinning the completion of
documentation required for paramedics to submit following patient care.
Product: Completed Ambulance Report Form and Emergency Examination Order.
Format:
The Ambulance Documentation Exercise will take place within the allocated tutorial. You will
be required to complete an Ambulance Report Form and an Emergency Examination Order,
based on a supplied scenario, within a 45 minute timeframe.
Criteria
Demonstrates an understanding of the conventions of drafting an eARF
Application of legal and ethical issues to an eARF
Demonstrates an understanding of the conventions of drafting an EEO
Application of legal and ethical issues to an EEO
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Communication
Developing
Assessment Task 3: Legal Analysis
Goal:
The aim of the legal analysis is to allow you to demonstrate an understanding of the legal
aspects associated with the provision of paramedic care.
Product: Legal Analysis based on scenario
Format:
Written document
Criteria
Explains the relevant legal and ethical concepts and fundamental principles underpinning
paramedic practice
Application of legal issues to paramedic practice
Reaches an arguable conclusion on legal issues
Use of referencing style
Presentation and Grammatical Conventions
Generic skill assessed
Skill assessment level
Problem solving
Developing
Information literacy
Developing
5.3
Additional assessment requirements
Blackboard
As a student enrolled in this course you will have access to course information on the Blackboard site. You
are strongly recommended to log onto the course site on a regular basis and ensure you have adequate
internet access (either off campus or on-campus) in order to access Blackboard regularly and to complete
required assessment tasks.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
A student’s eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions
applying:
a)
The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b)
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c)
The student has not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
5.4
Submission penalties
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:
 5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified
as the due date for the assessment task.
 10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
 20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and
including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
 A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date
identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
6. How is the course offered?
6.1
Directed study hours
Online delivery: Self-directed study equivalent of 10 hours per week throughout semester).
Tutorial: 1 hour per week in Weeks 2-12 (11 hours).
6.2
Teaching semester/session(s) offered
Semester 2 each year
6.3
Course activities
Teaching
Week /
Module
1
2
What key concepts/content
will I learn?
Introduction to ethical theory
and decision making
Introduction to the law
3
Privacy, confidentiality and
record keeping
4
Relationships between the law
and paramedic practice
5
Consent
6
Consent
7
Mental Health Law
8
Civil liability – intentional torts
What activities will I engage in to learn the
concepts/content?
Directed Study Activities
Independent Study
Activities
No tutorial
Readings
Textbook
Tutorial: Ethical decision
Readings
making as a paramedic
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Tutorial: What is Law
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Tutorial: Tutorial: Writing an Readings
eARF – The legal aspects
Textbook, Legislation and
Formative in class activity
selected cases
Legal issues for paramedics
Readings
Feedback on formative in
Textbook, Legislation and
class activity
selected cases
Consent and impaired
Readings
capacity
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Refusal of Treatment issues
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Emergency Examination
Readings
Orders
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
9
Criminal liability
Tutorial assessment task
10
Negligence
Criminal and civil liability
11
Administrative and industrial
law related to paramedic
practice
Review
Negligence
12
Tutorial: Paramedic
registration
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Readings
Textbook, Legislation and
selected cases
Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation.
7. What resources do I need to undertake this course?
7.1
Prescribed text(s)
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below:
Author
Year
Title
Publisher
McIlwraith, J & Madden, B
2014
Health care and the law
Thomson Reuters
7.2
Required and recommended readings
Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These
materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further
information regarding particular aspects of your course. Students will need access to the 2014 edition of
Health Care and the Law as the previous editions of the text will not be current due to significant changes in
the law.
7.3
Specific requirements
Nil
7.4
Risk management
There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the
Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas.
8.
How can I obtain help with my studies?
In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance to all
students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To
book: Tel: +61 7 5430 2890 or Email: student central@usc.edu.au
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Course Outline: PAR222 Legal & Ethical Practice in EMS
9.
Links to relevant University policies and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
 Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
 Review of Assessment and Final Grades
 Supplementary Assessment
 Administration of Central Examinations
 Deferred Examinations
 Student Academic Misconduct
 Students with a Disability
http://www.usc.edu.au/university/governance-and-executive/policies-and-procedures#academic-learningand-teaching
10. Faculty specific information
In person:
 Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C
 USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1)
 USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
 USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A
Tel: +61 7 5430 2890
Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au